General Blog Entries

Yes, after all these years IRM is finally having a BLACK TIE EVENT.  You will need to dress in your best.  Your best attire that is for working on the construction gang laying railroad ties that is.  Its not April Fools Day but this is an actual event that is going to happen.  You see, Irm has just purchased and received 1600 brand new ties to be used in construction of new rail storage track.  Plans call for the completion of the last two tracks in yard 15 and the construction of about 1,000 feet for the future streetcar loop southern expansion.  If you would like to help pay for this purchase, please send a donation in to the restricted fund:  Track department.     Thanks    Roger    

Here is a pictorial of two events that have recently taken place at IRM.   The first two are the beginning of the installation of crossing gates and flashers at the main entrance as you walk into our museum.  Bob Olsen and his crew have been developing this functioning display for about two years .  When completed this Summer we will have a set of working gates and flashing signals at this location.  In other words when a train is about to pass this location the gates automatically lower and the flashes flash red and the bell rings.    I must mention that this sound will be a real bell not the  crummy electronic ones you hear at other Northern Illinois  locations. Please help the signal department maintain and operate all our various signal by contributing a donation to the SIGNAL Dept.   Thanks        The museum has begun leasing its unused track space to shippers who need to store cars for a short duration in the winter.  This has become very beneficial to both parties.    We are now storing on our railroad more than three MT hopper trains for one customer.   It just so happened that I took these pictures of the  signal department as the first train of hoppers arrived.  Please refer to a couple of blogs ago referring to the maintenance and repair of the cab heater systems in these two diesels.  FYI  For those of you who are new to this "game" called winter storage, the museum is charging and receiving a fee for storing these hoppers.   The next blog will highlight the benefit of this winter storage!       Roger

      This news from the woodshop has been provided to me by  George "Buzz" Morisette.  Many different projects are being work on in our shop facilities.    We all are especially thankful that we have this fine HEATED area to work on these many projects.  Lorne Tweed has just finished painting the underside of the motorman's platform for our Cleveland PCC  Bill is painting wood siding for the "Pennsy" Cabin car. Many people call it a caboose but in Pennsylvania RR terms it was called a "Cabin."  This project will start this coming year.  If and when the snow and cold ever leaves. Dave, also part of Freight Car Team,  is painting more siding for the Cabin.  What a fine job!  Victor is looking mighty proud because the stove has been finally cleaned of dirt and rust.Here is a upclose shot of the insignia that was found underneath the rust.  No doubt about it.   It's a Pennys stove!  Victor was showing everyone this headlight!  This will be the headlight for the CGW Russell plow and is completely restored and ready for installation.  Many parts were donated, scrounged and repaired to make this one whole.  Good job guys!  This addition will return the plow to it as built look. We could have used the Russell a few weeks ago.   Rich Witt spends a lot of time at this table.  Not pictured but receiving a lot of attention is the fine work Jeff Brady and Norn Krental are doing on the ME 28! Here Buzz took a picture of Randy Hicks and Larry Stone working on the 3rd rail  beams for their ongoing project, CA&E 36  Here Randy poses for this picture.   Buzz decided to take his picture since Randy is the one, generally, taking the picture.Buzz has been working on a new project for the display cars.  It will be a new display case to house and interpret our many railroad lanterns.   These oak cabinet bases have just been glued and are in the glue press for drying.  This project Buzz has been working at home installing new wire or the future installation into the dining room of the Ely.   This will be the finishing touch for a three year restoration of the ceiling in the private car. Buzz has acquired from the UPRR an original decal that will be applied later this year to our UP Turbine  #18.    Lastly, here is a view of the Electroliner sitting in Barn 4 waiting to be spotted over the pit to begin the removal of damaged traction motors.   Rod Turner  is leading this very important project!  The motors will be then sent to a contractor and rebuilt to our specifications and then reinstalled.  No easy task!                      Did you ever wonder what becomes of your donations to the various projects?   This is a prime example of money being used from your contributions to better these projects and others around our museum campus.   With income tax season here why not consider a donation of some of your refund to a project or two at the Illinois Railway Museum.    You will be amazed how we can stretch a dollar!    Thanks to Buzz Morisette for photographing the pictures and the idea for the update.        Roger